The Energy was flying high today as the Marist Red Foxes (4-4, 4-2) faced the Drake Bulldogs (2-5, 1-4) at Tenney Stadium. The Foxes proved to be Way 2…Good…to lose the tight contest, winning by a score of 7-0. The victory is their first time ever beating Drake and is their first shutout performance since 2013.
The Red Foxes’ last game against the Bulldogs was a total blowout. You can Thank Me Later for not getting into this ugly Marist loss from 2019. This afternoon’s game, though, was anything but Child’s Play. It was, instead, a defense-oriented War with each team’s defensive units inflicting the Pain (1993) on Both of the opposing offenses.
Marist safety Clay Fields III, in particular, made it his mission to Light Up the Bulldogs’ offense. In the first quarter, he read Drake quarterback Ian Corwin’s eyes and jumped the route to pick off the pass, his third interception of the season. He also came within inches of blocking a punt, and recorded nine tackles.
Defensive back Alex Rodgers and linebackers Declan Carr and Will Kulick led the physical Drake defensive unit with nine tackles apiece. The Bulldogs produced more hard hits than Barry Bonds. (Editor’s note: Kanye West, who produced this track, released a song of the same title on his album Graduation, which was released 10 days after Drake’s mixtape. That’s fun! Surely, two artists who work this closely will remain friends for a very long time.)
“Drake’s a very good defense,” said Marist head coach Jim Parady. “They hadn’t played in three weeks and they showed that by making some adjustments and playing a little differently than they did. But we knew it was gonna be a grind.”
Through the end of the first quarter into the second, Marist marched down to Drake’s 12-yard line. But kicker Luke Paladino couldn’t Connect on the 22-yard attempt. The Bulldogs suffered the same fate on the next drive. Those were the Only times in the first half that either team got into the opposing red zone. Both defenses were just Too Good.
A shutout score at halftime showed that each offense clearly had Room for Improvement. There turned out not to be many chances to break the scoreless tie, as each defense continued to be Successful in stopping the offenses. All the offenses could do is hope for Blessings.
The Over the Top connection between quarterback Austin Day and wideout Dwayne Menders couldn’t find a way to Work today. Menders was held catchless for the first time this season. His best chance to show he was Still Here went right through his hands and into the hands of Drake’s Jakobe Davidson.
Eventually, the Red Foxes turned their Nothings into Somethings. Near the end of the third quarter, Day threw passes to wide receivers Sydnery Person and Will Downes that respectively gained 18 and 35 yards, putting Marist in the red zone again.
The big plays set up an eight-yard touchdown reception from running back Hunter Cobb, which got the Marist fans Hype. By securing the One Dance in the end zone between both teams, Cobb was the only 6 God in this contest.
Later in the fourth quarter, Corwin connected on a 43-yard pass to Colin Howard to put the Bulldogs in the Foxes’ territory. A strong defensive stand, aided by a sack from safety Teddy Wright, set up a long field goal. Nose tackle Nick Foglia Shut It Down by blocking the attempt.
The Last Hope Drake had to tie the game came after a second missed field goal from Paladino. The Bulldogs had just under two and a half minutes to drive 80 yards. Comeback Season was no more after the Marist defense shut down the Bulldogs’ drive, allowing them to hold on for the win.
Day completed 21 passes on 28 attempts for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Downes caught four passes for 47 yards while Antoine Morales caught four passes for 37 yards. Cobb rushed for 39 yards.
Day, for the most part, showed a strong presence in the pocket in the face of a Nonstop pass rush from the Bulldogs. He kept composure for as long as he could and found room to turn it upfield, rather than retreat backwards when he faced Too Much pressure.
Meanwhile, Corwin recorded 144 passing yards, completed 13 of his 27 passes and threw one pick. Many of number 9’s receivers couldn’t Take Care of business, though, as they dropped several passes that Landed right in their hands. Running back Cross Robinson compiled 45 rushing yards while wideout Colin Howard recorded 60 receiving yards on three catches.
Marist is surely Charged Up after the close win but is also happy that this game is Over, as they narrowly avoid three consecutive Losses. What’s Next in store for the Foxes is their last road game of the season. They’ll take The Ride down to South Carolina to face Presbyterian next Saturday at 1:00.
Edited by Connor Kurpat
Photo from Marist Athletics